An iconic black gown worn by the late Princess Diana has sold for almost £200,000 at auction, according to reports.
The taffeta Emanuel creation, which she wore when she was 19 years old for her first official appearance with Prince Charles, fetched a staggering £192,000 when it went under the hammer in London earlier today.
Initial estimates had reportedly predicted that it would sell for between £30,000 and £50,000.
Auctioneer Kerry Taylor explained that the princess had taken the outfit back to Emanuel to have it taken in after she dramatically lost weight in the run-up to her wedding.
“Diana lost so much weight that she returned the gown to Emanuel to have it taken in,” she said.
“The alterations required were so drastic that they decided it would be easier to re-make a smaller version for her.
“They kept the original and forgot about it – only re-discovering it quite recently.”
The gown, bought by Fundación Museo De La Moda – a fashion museum in Chile – was one of 30 items being sold by designers Elizabeth and David Emanuel.
The chiffon blouse Diana wore to a Vogue photo-shoot to celebrate the announcement of her engagement was reportedly bought by Newbridge Silverware Museum of Style Icons, in Ireland, for £26,400.
The Irish museum also spent £20,400 on the final calico toile for Diana’s wedding gown.
Source: Splash News